Box d holds your employer's nine-digit identification number
Box d is in the upper right section of your W2 form, positioned just below the boxes labeled "a" through "c". It contains your employer's EIN — the employer identification number the IRS assigns to every business. The format is always two digits, a hyphen, and seven digits (for example, 12-3456789).
You will see Box d on every W2 you receive, regardless of your income or job type. The number remains the same year to year unless your employer changes ownership or undergoes a restructuring that requires a new EIN.
The EIN in Box d is public information. Your employer uses it on tax forms, payroll documents, and business filings. You do not need it to file your own tax return — the IRS already has it linked to your W2 information — but it can be useful if you need to contact your employer's payroll department or verify employment details with a lender or government agency.
Key Takeaways
- Box d is located in the upper right area of your W2 form and contains your employer's nine-digit EIN in the format ##-#######.
- You do not need to enter Box d information on your tax return; the IRS receives it directly from your employer.
- The EIN in Box d connects your W2 to your employer's tax records and helps the IRS verify that income reported matches across documents.
- If Box d is blank or shows an incorrect number, contact your employer to request a corrected W2-c form.
Why the EIN in Box d matters
The EIN in Box d connects your W2 to your employer's tax records. The IRS uses it to match the income your employer reports on their business return with the W2s they send to workers. If there is a discrepancy between what your employer reported and what you reported on your tax return, the IRS may use the Box d number to investigate.
You may need to reference Box d if you are explore for a mortgage, a car loan, or a background check. Lenders sometimes ask for your employer's EIN to verify employment history. You might also need it if you are disputing a W2 or trying to confirm that your employer actually filed your W2 with the IRS.
How Box d differs from other employer information on the W2
The W2 contains several pieces of employer information that are straightforward to confuse. Box a holds your Social Security number. Boxes b and c hold your employer's name and address. Box d holds only the EIN — a number that identifies the business entity itself, separate from the company name.
Some employers have multiple EINs if they operate separate business divisions or have restructured. If you worked for different divisions of the same company in the same year, you may receive multiple W2s with different EINs in Box d. Each W2 reports only the income and withholding for that specific EIN.
| Box | Contains | Format |
|---|---|---|
| a | Your Social Security number | 9 digits with hyphens (###-##-####) |
| b | Employer name | Text |
| c | Employer address | Street, city, state, ZIP |
| d | Employer identification number (EIN) | 9 digits with hyphen (##-#######) |
What to do if Box d is blank or incorrect
A blank Box d is unusual but can happen, especially if your employer is very small or newly formed. If Box d is blank on your W2, your employer may not have obtained an EIN yet, or there may be an error in how the W2 was prepared. Contact your employer to ask whether they have an EIN and request a corrected W2 if needed.
If Box d shows an EIN that does not match your employer's name in Box b, or if you believe the number is wrong, ask your employer to verify it. An incorrect EIN can cause problems when you file your return, because the IRS may not match your W2 income to your employer's business records.
Do not guess or try to look up the correct EIN yourself. Have your employer provide the correct number and issue a corrected W2-c (the IRS form for corrected W2s) if the original was wrong. The IRS will accept the corrected version and disregard the original.
Keeping Box d information for your records
Keep a copy of your W2 with Box d visible for your records, especially if you may need to verify employment or income in the future. If you are self-employed or run a business, you may also want to note the EINs of companies that paid you as a contractor, since that information can be useful for bookkeeping and tax planning.
If you file your tax return electronically, you do not need to enter Box d information yourself — tax software reads it from your W2. If you file by paper, you also do not enter Box d. The IRS receives Box d information directly from your employer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Box d to file my tax return?
No. You do not enter Box d on your tax return. The IRS receives it directly from your employer when they file your W2. You only need the income and withholding amounts from your W2 to complete your return.
What if I have two W2s with the same employer but different EINs in Box d?
This means your employer operates under multiple EINs, possibly for different business divisions or locations. File both W2s on your return. Each one reports income and withholding for a specific part of the business.
Can I look up my employer's EIN if Box d is missing?
You can search the IRS Business Name Search tool online to find an EIN, but the best approach is to ask your employer directly. They can confirm their EIN and issue a corrected W2 if the original was incomplete.
Does Box d affect how much tax I owe?
No. Box d is an identifier only. Your tax liability depends on the income in Box 1, the withholding in Box 2, and other income and deductions on your return.